There are few things as exciting as buying a car. However, when buying a used car, many people become nervous because they fear they may get scammed or have no recourse if they buy a car that turns out to not be as advertised. However, they protected, at least in California, by something called the California Lemon Law. Here are a few things you should know about this law.
What Exactly is a Lemon?
In the state of California, a lemon is legally defined as any vehicle which has a significant defect during the time it is covered by a warranty. It may also be determined by the number of miles driven after purchasing the vehicle. If the manufacturer has attempted to repair the vehicle and the issue still remains, then the manufacturer must agree to buy back the vehicle if the consumer so chooses. According to the law, the offer must be an appropriate one.
Know Your Rights
You do have rights under this law but it is important to know what applies and what does not apply. For instance, most consumers do not realize that the California Lemon Law does not apply to private sales. The law only applies if the sale was made through a dealership. To be protected by the law, make sure the sale involves the transfer of the warranty. Any repairs made, or the attempt thereof must be done so by an authorized dealer or repair facility. If the repair fails and does not solve the problem, most warranties, either explicit or implied, state the manufacturer must attempt a buyback from the consumer.
